President Joe Biden made a surprise and historic visit to war-torn Ukraine on Monday, a show of support and solidarity with a democratic nation battling for its survival after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded nearly a year ago.
The visit, including a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was kept under tight secrecy until Biden's arrival. "Unchecked aggression is a threat to all of us," Biden said. "One year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands, Americans stand with you and the world stands with you."
"Kyiv has captured a part of my heart," he added.
Biden visited the Mariinsky Palace, where he signed a guest book and made brief remarks alongside Zelenskyy.
The clandestine nature of the trip points to the dangers of America's commander-in-chief visiting Ukraine amid continuing bombardment, as Russia continued firing missiles into the country hoping to break an impasse as the war enters its second year. Air raid sirens sounded while Biden was on the ground.
In a sign of how sensitive the trip was, the White House had notified the Kremlin of Biden’s visit ahead of time, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.
It is the first time in modern history that a U.S. president has entered a war zone where there is not an active American military presence. Ukrainian police and military had a strong presence and much of the central part of Kyiv was shut down, paralyzing traffic nearby.
Biden’s appearance in Ukraine is a strong statement that the U.S. stands with Zelenskyy despite growing pressure at home to downsize American aid.
“The first visit of the President of the United States to Ukraine in almost 15 years is the most important visit in the history of Ukrainian-American relations,” Zelenskyy posted on the social media site Telegram after the trip concluded.
Biden insisted that the U.S. will remain steadfast in its support of Ukraine.
"For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine,” Biden said.
He announced an additional aid package worth $500 million, which will include more military equipment and weapons like anti-tank Javelin missiles.
Zelenskyy said that when Russia invaded, the U.S. was the first to call him in support.
Biden also recalled speaking to Zelenskyy — and the promise he made to help "rally the world" to Ukraine's cause.
“Russian planes were in the air and tanks were rolling across your border," Biden said. "You told me you could hear explosions in the background, I’ll never forget that. And the world was about to change. I remember it vividly."
The two leaders greeted each other with a sense of familiarity.
“Thank you for coming,” Zelenskyy said, according to a press pool report.
“More importantly, how are the children?” Biden said. He added, “It’s amazing to see you.”
--nbcnews
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